Opinions do not necessarily represent CUIndependent.com or any of its sponsors.
We’ve all heard the phrases before: “Use a condom”, “Safe sex is important” and “You will get pregnant and die”. Basically, at this point in our lives it is drilled in our heads. Still, safe sex is very important, especially when you go to a school with about 35,000 other people. I know at times it’s hard to remember to use protection, but if you don’t want to end up with an itchy or burning crotch, I suggest you use one.
Every year, we to meet different people. Sometimes that can turn into more than a friendship – it may become a relationship or just a one-night stand. Whatever it becomes, it’s always important to use protection. It’s hard at this age to know whom the person has been with before they met you. They may have an STI or worse. That one night of unprotected sex could turn into years of taking care of a child or dealing with herpes. Nevertheless, it’s your choice – you’re the one who is willing to risk that for having a five-minute sexual encounter.
STIs, (sexually transmitted infections) are spread through contact with infected body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids or semen. This means an STI can be passed on by having oral, anal or vaginal intercourse. According to the College Times, about 25 percent of college students are infected with an STD. Even further, one in four Americans has an STD, per the New York State Department of Health.
Not using protection while having sex with your partner can turn for the worse. Your partner may have HIV, chlamydia, herpes, etc. For example, I knew a girl freshman year who was having sex with a guy she met in her dorm, only to find out the guy caught chlamydia. He not only spread it to her, but to five other girls that he was having sex with.
Because of that, I will never forget a condom when having sex. I know that during the moment it may be hard to think, “Oh, I need a condom,” but unless you know that that your partner is clean, it’s never smart to not use a condom.
There are a wide variety of condoms that you can use today. They come in different sizes, shapes and flavors. There are even condoms that glow in the dark. They also make condoms for women nowadays – how great is that? The best condom to use in protecting yourself against an STI is a latex brand. These condoms are specifically designed to prevent diseases. By using a condom, you will never have to worry about waking up with a weird rash in your genitals.
In addition, when using lubricants, it is very important that you use only water-based ones. That means K-Y Jelly with latex condoms. Don’t use oil or petroleum-based lubricants, such as Vaseline or hand lotion. These can cause the rubber in the condoms to break.
I’m not trying to lecture you or even give you a sex 101 talk. I just believe that it is important for people to realize that STIs are real and that they are all around us. It is important to always use protection, so you never have to worry about waking up with the clap or some other genital oddity.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Alex Myers at alexandra.myers@colorado.edu.
